While many burglars have switched to modern technologies to surveil your house, many still use traditional methods to understand which properties they can target and when to target them. Such surveillance can leave behind crumbs of evidence alerting you that your house is a potential target. Here are four signs that can help you realize that your property may be under surveillance by burglars.
Absent trash means someone has gone through your bins looking for personal information or valuable things they can steal. Thieves can also gather enough information about you from your trash to steal your identity.
Potential thieves can gather enough details about you from documents with your Social Security number, date of birth, and other information that could help them steal your identity. The thieves might also rummage for documents that contain information about your employment or when you will be on vacation.
If you witness anyone suspicious digging through your garbage cans or opening trash bags, they might have an eye on your house. Thus, you should shred any papers you throw away and be conscious of what personal information your trash shows about you. This caution can help protect you from identity theft.
Burglars can check out more than one house at the same time, so if you spot strange individuals or automobiles in the area, it could mean that your house and others nearby might be potential targets. Strangers walking or jogging in the vicinity could be checking out the house, and cars you don't know parked on the corner might have burglars watching the house.
Also, if you see a strange car near the house more than once, especially if it has a license plate from another state or none at all, or a photographer taking shots near the house, it could hint that someone has an eye on the property.
Take note of any strange activity and tell the police about it. Also, write down the license plates of strange automobiles or record details about the suspicious person you don't know so that if someone breaks into a home in your neighborhood, you can help the police with evidence.
Burglars often knock on doors and pretend to provide free services like carpet cleaning or roof repairs, or they make up problems like a car breaking down or a medical emergency to get into your home. For example, door-to-door salespeople and utility workers might show up unannounced without proper identification.
These fake emergencies and visits let them see how you set up the house, how many doors you have, who lives there, the presence of a dog or a security system, and if any valuables are lying around. If you have any doubts about someone, don't let them in, and keep an eye on any strangers you do let in. If they get pushy or rude, you should call the police right away.
Broken or tampered-with windows show that someone tried to get into your home. Burglars might examine if you locked your doors and windows to see if they have an easy entryway. If you find your windows, doors, or locks are broken in any way, it could be a clue that someone has looked for an easy way into your house.
Also, thieves may hurl a rock through a house or car window before they even try to break in, merely to observe the aftermath, find out whether or not you have an alarm system, or see if they can get in without being seen. Lastly, thieves may vandalize something small to make entering the home easier, such as unscrewing or destroying a light bulb during the day so it’s easier to rob the house at night without being seen.
If you notice any of these things, you must take the necessary steps to safeguard your property and get in touch with the police if necessary.
Contact us at All Pro Security to retrofit your house with a new modern security system.
